US Inflation Rises to 2.9% in December
US inflation rose to 2.9% in December 2024, exceeding the Federal Reserve's target, driven by higher food and energy prices; however, economists predict a return to lower inflation in 2025, with the caveat that President-elect Trump's policies could reverse this trend.
US Inflation Rises to 2.9% in December
US inflation rose to 2.9% in December 2024, exceeding the Federal Reserve's target, driven by higher food and energy prices; however, economists predict a return to lower inflation in 2025, with the caveat that President-elect Trump's policies could reverse this trend.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Moderate Growth Projected for US Consumer Spending in 2025, Despite Tariff and Conflict Risks
US consumer spending in 2025 is projected to rise moderately, fueled by job growth and wage increases exceeding inflation, but potential tariffs and international conflicts pose significant risks, potentially dampening consumer confidence and spending on discretionary items.
Moderate Growth Projected for US Consumer Spending in 2025, Despite Tariff and Conflict Risks
US consumer spending in 2025 is projected to rise moderately, fueled by job growth and wage increases exceeding inflation, but potential tariffs and international conflicts pose significant risks, potentially dampening consumer confidence and spending on discretionary items.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Trump to Create "External Revenue Service" to Collect Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of a new government agency, the External Revenue Service, to collect tariffs and duties from foreign sources starting January 20th, aiming to generate revenue from foreign trade and potentially replace some current tax collections, despite concerns...
Trump to Create "External Revenue Service" to Collect Tariffs
President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of a new government agency, the External Revenue Service, to collect tariffs and duties from foreign sources starting January 20th, aiming to generate revenue from foreign trade and potentially replace some current tax collections, despite concerns...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Wholesale Inflation Up 0.2% in December, Driven by Energy Prices
U.S. wholesale inflation rose 0.2% in December due to higher energy prices, particularly a 9.7% increase in gasoline, while food prices fell 0.1%; the year-over-year increase reached 3.3%, exceeding forecasts and boosting U.S. markets.
Wholesale Inflation Up 0.2% in December, Driven by Energy Prices
U.S. wholesale inflation rose 0.2% in December due to higher energy prices, particularly a 9.7% increase in gasoline, while food prices fell 0.1%; the year-over-year increase reached 3.3%, exceeding forecasts and boosting U.S. markets.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Major US Banks Exit Net-Zero Climate Alliance Ahead of Trump Presidency
Six of the world's largest banks simultaneously withdrew from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) in December 2024, weeks before President-elect Trump's inauguration, citing a desire to pursue emission reduction independently despite concerns about potential political backlash.
Major US Banks Exit Net-Zero Climate Alliance Ahead of Trump Presidency
Six of the world's largest banks simultaneously withdrew from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) in December 2024, weeks before President-elect Trump's inauguration, citing a desire to pursue emission reduction independently despite concerns about potential political backlash.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Contrasting Holiday Results for Retailers: Lululemon Soars, Abercrombie Falls
Lululemon and Abercrombie & Fitch reported better-than-expected holiday sales, raising their fourth-quarter outlooks; however, Abercrombie's stock fell due to investor concerns about slowing growth, while Macy's disappointing results led to a stock drop exceeding 6%.
Contrasting Holiday Results for Retailers: Lululemon Soars, Abercrombie Falls
Lululemon and Abercrombie & Fitch reported better-than-expected holiday sales, raising their fourth-quarter outlooks; however, Abercrombie's stock fell due to investor concerns about slowing growth, while Macy's disappointing results led to a stock drop exceeding 6%.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Musk's Engineer Shortage Claim: Data, H-1B Debate, and Future Policy
Elon Musk's recent claim of a U.S. shortage of top engineers, countered by data showing record STEM degrees and projected job growth, highlights the debate surrounding the H-1B visa program's impact on American workers and its role in tech innovation.
Musk's Engineer Shortage Claim: Data, H-1B Debate, and Future Policy
Elon Musk's recent claim of a U.S. shortage of top engineers, countered by data showing record STEM degrees and projected job growth, highlights the debate surrounding the H-1B visa program's impact on American workers and its role in tech innovation.
Progress
16% Bias Score
Capital One Stock Rises on Discover Acquisition, Despite Rising Charge-Offs
Capital One's stock has risen 36% since early 2024, exceeding the S&P 500's performance, largely due to investor optimism surrounding its acquisition of Discover Financial, a deal expected to close in early 2025; however, rising charge-offs and delinquencies present a short-term risk.
Capital One Stock Rises on Discover Acquisition, Despite Rising Charge-Offs
Capital One's stock has risen 36% since early 2024, exceeding the S&P 500's performance, largely due to investor optimism surrounding its acquisition of Discover Financial, a deal expected to close in early 2025; however, rising charge-offs and delinquencies present a short-term risk.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Avian Flu Causes Widespread US Egg Shortages, Prices Soar
Avian influenza killed 17.2 million egg-laying hens in November and December 2024, causing widespread egg shortages across the US and a 25% price increase in December alone, with the situation expected to last six to nine months.
Avian Flu Causes Widespread US Egg Shortages, Prices Soar
Avian influenza killed 17.2 million egg-laying hens in November and December 2024, causing widespread egg shortages across the US and a 25% price increase in December alone, with the situation expected to last six to nine months.
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28% Bias Score
Healthcare Dominates Top 2025 Job Rankings
Indeed's 2025 job ranking reveals that six of the top 25 positions are in healthcare, driven by high salaries (e.g., $385,000 for radiologists), at least 20% job growth over three years, and an aging U.S. population increasing healthcare needs.
Healthcare Dominates Top 2025 Job Rankings
Indeed's 2025 job ranking reveals that six of the top 25 positions are in healthcare, driven by high salaries (e.g., $385,000 for radiologists), at least 20% job growth over three years, and an aging U.S. population increasing healthcare needs.
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40% Bias Score
FFOPU: The Key to REIT Outperformance in 2024 and Beyond
Scotiabank analysts found that REITs with the highest forecasted FFOPU at the start of the year significantly outperformed other strategies over the past 17 years, challenging traditional value investing approaches and highlighting FFOPU as a key selection criterion for 2024 and beyond.
FFOPU: The Key to REIT Outperformance in 2024 and Beyond
Scotiabank analysts found that REITs with the highest forecasted FFOPU at the start of the year significantly outperformed other strategies over the past 17 years, challenging traditional value investing approaches and highlighting FFOPU as a key selection criterion for 2024 and beyond.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Robust December Jobs Report Eliminates Fed Rate Cut Expectations
The December 2024 jobs report showed unexpectedly strong employment growth of 256,000 nonfarm jobs, exceeding expectations and leading to a rise in bond yields and a decline in stock prices due to reduced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Robust December Jobs Report Eliminates Fed Rate Cut Expectations
The December 2024 jobs report showed unexpectedly strong employment growth of 256,000 nonfarm jobs, exceeding expectations and leading to a rise in bond yields and a decline in stock prices due to reduced expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Progress
36% Bias Score